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In the evening, when we had finished sorting out the results, checked my curriculum, and agreed on a schedule of personal studies that would only take place once a week, we sat down to drink tea. We are sitting in armchairs at a table in the main hall, and my curiosity does not want to stop.

"Master, perhaps my curiosity is unnecessary, but I couldn't help but notice that whenever you are distracted from your work, you immediately start to worry about something."

Sitting across from me, Delphine put her cup of tea on the table and looked at me thoughtfully, remaining silent for a long half-minute.

"If you want to know so much..." Delphine leaned back in her chair, resting her hands on the armrests. "The situation in England has begun to escalate dramatically. Many people don't see it or can't see it. Others ignore it. Many rich and influential families began to act. Immortality is a strange thing. Everyone wants it, but no one aspires to it. But those who, against all odds, have achieved it cause immeasurable respect from other wizards. Only a few know about Horcruxes, but no one uses this magic, trying to keep the most precious thing, their soul, intact. Voldemort told everyone a long time ago that he had achieved immortality. Still, even a wizard who knows about Horcruxes would never suspect him of it - creating a Horcrux goes against our worldview."

"No wonder. I'm talking about the desire to save the soul. Its presence is not a secret for wizards."

Lady Greengrass nodded in agreement and continued her thought:

"Now, among the wealthy, influential, and potentially allied families to the Dark Lord, information is circulating, reliable information about his rebirth. Those who were with him in the past, voluntarily or under duress, will join again. Those who doubted will believe and join him. A little money and sweet speeches with promises, and all who are dissatisfied with their lives, from the poor to the rich, will come running to him because he has achieved immortality."

"Does that bother you?"

"Oh, no," Delphine smiled sadly. "Other factors bother me, but this preface was necessary. The Greengrass family has both influence in certain circles and finances. But beyond that, to the community, we are one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and believe me, that means a lot. However, from what I understand, when Henry, with Voldemort's help, threw off some restrictions, justly deserved, by the way, he told a lot about the family's secrets. Many of the families who have been or will soon be on the Dark Lord's side, as I said, have political weight. The Dark Lord may well be interested in our knowledge, which means my family would be under considerable political pressure. I am sure that if Henry had not died, they would soon try to remove me or otherwise force me to make the "right decision. If it weren't for the situation, my father would be the official face of the family again, but now... It's the worst-case scenario because of the consequences of one incident - he's almost a squib, and the public knows it. You can see how that might work out. My only option is to enter the political and other arenas, though even now, very few initiates know about..."

Lady Greengrass fell silent and looked at me as if waiting for me to continue.

"That you are the actual Head of the House?"

"Exactly," she nodded, smiling and fixing the thick braid of almost white hair on her shoulder with her hand. "So now all that remains is either to persuade me to cooperate or ..."

"I see a lot of options. They can bring the situation to the marriage of Daphne or Astoria, on favorable terms to the other side, knock out the rest of the family members, and that's it. I wouldn't be surprised if Henry's plans included a similar option. For example, eliminate you with the help of Voldemort's forces, give Astoria to the same Malfoy as regent, for example, since their family is loyal to the Dark Lord, do something with Daphne, and that's it. Your father, because of his magical weakness, won't be able to resist in any way."

"Why Astoria specifically?" Delphine tilted her head slightly sideways, looking at me intently.

"She seemed to me quite a smart and quick-witted girl. Oddly enough, this is the best option for taking over a family. She will figure everything out pretty quickly and will want to solve the problem with her mind. And while she is playing the role of an obedient wife and looking for a solution, everything will already be over. Daphne, it seems to me, is quite a hot-tempered and wayward person who does not sit still. Not the best option."

"I was thinking along the same lines. Of course, there's always the option of a forcible takeover. However, you know what disciplines in magic I know, right?"

Nodding, I took a cup of still hot tea from the table and, after taking a couple of sips, returned it to its place.

"To fight against such a wizard on his own territory, even surpassing him in strength, is an extremely suicidal enterprise. However, so few people know about my master titles that wizards under the leadership of Voldemort will undoubtedly rush to storm the manor. If necessary."